Meet Mario Melendez of San Clemente

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mario Melendez.

Hi Mario, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The Margarita Truck business began in 2012 with a single, unlikely purchase: a 1965 GMC coffee truck found on eBay for $1,000. What followed was a five-year restoration journey and an investment of roughly $120,000 in repairs, fabrication, and customization. Rather than waiting for a “perfect” finish, the truck evolved in real time—being repaired, repainted, and refined while simultaneously being put to work.

About a month after the initial restoration reached a functional stage, the first events began. Throughout those early years, the business grew organically: hosting events while continuing to improve the truck as resources allowed. That hands-on, build-as-you-go approach became a defining part of the brand’s DNA.

From that single truck, the operation steadily expanded. What started as one vintage margarita truck has grown into a fleet of four trucks servicing private events, weddings, corporate clients, and festivals throughout Southern California.

The brand’s evolution extended beyond mobile service. Ten years ago, Rasta Taco opened its doors in Laguna Beach, marking the company’s first brick-and-mortar concept. Five years ago, Rasta Rita Cantina opened in Twentynine Palms near Joshua Tree, establishing a destination venue rooted in the same hospitality-driven ethos as the original truck.

Today, the next chapter is underway with the build-out of Rita Chiquita in San Clemente, scheduled to open in Spring 2026. From a single restored coffee truck to a multi-concept hospitality brand, the business has grown through persistence, reinvestment, and a commitment to creating memorable guest experiences—one margarita at a time.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been smooth, to say the least. The ongoing renovation and restoration of these vehicles has required constant out-of-pocket investment. Vehicle restorations are not financeable, and custom-built vehicles cannot be traditionally loaned against, so every phase of the process was completed on a cash-and-carry basis.

The same was true for the restoration of the cantina—specifically the Rasta Rita Cantina in Twentynine Palms—which was also completed entirely with cash. As a result, I have spent the better part of the past 15 years of my career in continuous build mode: self-funding projects, paying expenses as I went, and reinvesting operating cash back into the business rather than relying on debt financing.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The Margarita Trucks are truly one of a kind. There is nothing else like them anywhere in the world. We were the first company in the United States to create a fully mobile beverage-catering experience of this kind, and over the years these trucks have taken on a life of their own. They’ve been shared, memed, photographed, and celebrated across social media tens of millions of times.

What makes us most proud is that it has never been about any one person—it’s about the trucks, the experience, and the standard of service we bring to every event. The trucks themselves have become icons, but the heart of what we do is rooted in quality, consistency, and a steadfast commitment to doing business the right way.

We approach every event as a unique opportunity to showcase who we are. Every guest matters. Every client matters. Every detail matters. From the first pour to the final goodbye, our goal is always the same: to deliver a flawless experience and ensure every event is executed spectacularly.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
When I first booked my very first margarita-truck event, there was just one problem—I didn’t actually know how to make a margarita. I remember calling a friend for step-by-step directions, and they were genuinely shocked. Here I was, with a margarita truck, a real contract, and an event to execute… and I was learning the drink on the fly.

That moment changed everything.

Over time, I became obsessed with perfecting the recipe. I tested, refined, and rebuilt it again and again until it was exactly what I wanted. Today, I can confidently say you won’t find a better margarita anywhere. I’ve tried them all over the world, and ours stand apart—100% natural, made with our own house-crafted mixes, and built with pride in every single pour.

Pricing:

• 13.89

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rastarita.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rastaritamargarita
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rastaritamargarita
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rasta-rita/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Rasta_Rita
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rastaritamargaritaTV/videos
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rasta-rita-margarita-and-beverage-truck-laguna-beach-6
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qu3PZHiHV0ccmdTEhHHvb